Falcons Still Winless in Vegas

UNLV's Romel Beck had a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds Saturday night and Michael Umeh added 15 as the Rebels won their fifth straight in a 63-57 victory over Air Force. UNLV (14-11, 6-6 Mountain West Conference) broke through with an 18-2 run midway through the second half, including two three-point plays from Umeh and a 3-pointer from Beck with 5:10 to play that capped the

LAS VEGAS (AP) - UNLV (14-11, 6-6 Mountain West Conference) broke through with an 18-2 run midway through the second half, including two three-point plays from Umeh and a 3-pointer from Beck with 5:10 to play that capped the rally and gave UNLV a 53-46 lead.

The Rebels held on late thanks to a shot clock-beating 3-pointer from Odartey Blankson and a 5-for-5 effort at the foul line from Ricky Morgan.

Blankson had nine points and six rebounds for the Rebels.

Air Force (16-11, 7-4) only connected on three field goals in the final 12:13. The Falcons have lost four of their last five games.

Antoine Hood led Air Force with 17 points, and Nick Welch had 15 points, six assists and six rebounds.

The Falcons led the entire first half, using a pair of 3-pointers from Welch to open an 18-9 lead with 7:16 to play in the half.

AIR FORCE (16-11)

Burtschi 2-9 3-4 8, Nwaelele 1-5 0-0 2, Welch 6-10 0-0 15, Keller 1-3 0-0 2, An.Hood 7-12 1-1 17, McCraw 2-8 2-2 8, Anderson 0-0 0-0 0, Holum 1-4 2-2 5, Buchanan 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-53 8-9 57.

UNLV (14-11)

Blankson 2-5 3-4 9, Hannan 0-2 2-2 2, Amundson 2-4 0-2 4, Umeh 6-11 3-5 15, Morgan 1-2 5-5 7, Beck 5-7 7-8 20, Terry 0-1 0-0 0, Blassingame 0-0 0-0 0, Anthony 2-2 0-0 4, Villepigue 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 19-36 20-26 63.

Halftime-Air Force 30-24.

3-Point Goals-Air Force 9-31 (Welch 3-7, An.Hood 2-4, McCraw 2-5, Holum 1-3, Burtschi 1-7, Nwaelele 0-1, Buchanan 0-2, Keller 0-2), UNLV 5-11 (Beck 3-4, Blankson 2-3, Umeh 0-1, Villepigue 0-1, Hannan 0-2).

Fouled Out-None.

Rebounds-Air Force 28 (Welch 6), UNLV 73 (Beck 10).

Assists-Air Force 13 (Welch 6), UNLV 9 (Blassingame, Umeh 3).

Total Fouls-Air Force 18, UNLV 15.

A-13,083.